Joel climbs the mountain to grab first victory
Joel Stalter overturned a four-stroke deficit yesterday to win his first European Tour title at the Euram Bank Open, finishing two strokes ahead of England’s Richard Mansell among the Austrian Alps.
The Frenchman started the day chasing 54-hole leader Robin Sciot-Siegrist but moved ahead after a birdie on the 10th, his second of the day, after his compatriot carded a four-over-par front nine at Golf Club Adamstal.
A bogey on the 14th hole brought him level with Mansell, who was playing in the final group, but Stalter responded immediately with a birdie on the 15th and a nervous wait followed as he parred his final three holes, setting the clubhouse target at 14 under par.
Mansell, making just his second European Tour start after debuting at last week’s Austrian Open, finished his round one-over-par after a bogey on the 16th hole, giving Stalter his first European Tour victory after battling teeming rain.
The victory was even sweeter for Stalter, as he shared his success with his fiancée Flora, his caddie for the week.
The Frenchman said: “Winning here today, I can’t really put it into words. I have been in this situation a few times and was never able to really push through.
“My girlfriend was on the bag this week. She has done an incredible job, she kept me going. She’s definitely part of my success today.”
Mansell said: “This week has given me a lot of confidence going forward. I’m happy with where my game’s at so we’ll see what happens next.
“I am good enough. I think I’ve always known that. I’ve just been waiting for a result.
“Now I’ve got that I just have that confidence, so I can go ahead and play freely now. I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”
Sciot-Siegrist finished in third place alongside Sweden’s Christofer Blomstrand and Alexander Knappe of Germany, while another Frenchman, Julien Brun, shared sixth place with Garrick Higgo of South Africa and Joost Luiten of the Netherlands.